Holy Redeemer Seeking Hospice Volunteers in Central Jersey

Trenton, N.J. – February 25, 2015 – Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice is seeking compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Mercer County and Central New Jersey by becoming members of the Hospice Family Support Team. Volunteers may also assist with administrative work within the Hospice department and are needed for both day and evening hours.

“It takes a very special, compassionate person to serve as a hospice volunteer,” said Gretel LaVieri, MSW, LCSW, Holy Redeemer’s Volunteer Coordinator for Mercer County and Central New Jersey. “Part of their role is to reflect Holy Redeemer’s underlying mission to care, comfort and heal by working with the professional hospice team to provide companionship and support for patients as well as their families.”

“Many of our Family Support Team members feel a sense of personal fulfillment as a result of the interactions they have and the relationships they develop,” said LaVieri. “Our volunteers truly make a difference in the lives of patients and families, and often the reverse is true, as well.”

Family Support Team members typically visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands, or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one. Administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings, filing and other office necessities.

Family Support Team members complete an application and attend a comprehensive volunteer training program that covers medical and psychosocial issues related to end of life. Both day and evening training programs are offered.

To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Mercer Country and Central Jersey, contact Gretel LaVieri at 609-815-3713 or email: glavieri@holyredeemer.com.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice, the largest nonprofit provider of home health and hospice services in the state of New Jersey, offers a continuum of services throughout 12 New Jersey counties, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, and Union. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice provides care to patients and their families in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania. It is part of Holy Redeemer Health System, which offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, two skilled nursing facilities, supportive care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an active living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. For more information, visit holyredeemer.com/HomeCare.